| Popis: |
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) without pulmonary hypertension and its correlation to red cell distribution width (RDW). Methods: 21 consecutive SSc patient undervent echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging to assess RV function. 19 study patients were investigated at baseline and in four visits of one year follow up. Echocardiographic measuremets and RDW was assessed at each visit (0-month visit, 4-month visit, 8-month visit, 12-month visit). Results: In the highest tertile RDW group (>14,25 for first follow-up visit) RV FAC was significantly lower 48,00 (45,00-51,00) compared to 50,80 (49,08-53,40); P=0,023., and in the highest tertile RDW group (>13,95 for second follow-up visit) PV Acct was significantly lower (P=0,007) in the follow-up at first and second visit respectively. In the highest tertile RDW group (>14,25 for first follow-up visit) RV FAC was significantly lower 48,00 (45,00-51,00) compared to 50,80 (49,08-53,40); P=0,023., and in the highest tertile RDW group (>13,95 for second follow-up visit) PV Acct was significantly lower (P=0,007) in the follow-up at first and second visit respectevely. RDW showed a positive correlation with RIMP (rho=0,537, P=0,012) on the first visit and negative correlation with PVAcct on the firs (rho=-0,495, P=0,023) and second (rho=-0,497, P=0,022) visit during the follow-up, respectively. Conclusion: RDW in SSc may represent an integrative measure of multiple pathological processes including fibrosis and ongoing inflammation. An increase in RDW may indicate an impairment of cardiorespiratory function and right ventricular function but further investigation is needed. |
